Influence of Platinum Nucleation on Constitution of and Phase Separation in Sodium Phosphate Glasses

Published work in the literature indicates that small amounts of platinum bring about phase separation in sodium phosphate melts which can be recognized in electron micrographs. The influence of 0.0038, 0.0076, 0.038, and 0.15% platinum on the constitution of and phase separation in sodium phosphate glasses with n, the number average chain length, varying from 3 to 9 has been investigated using both paper chromatographic and electron microscopic techniques. The results indicate that platinum nucleation apparently has no effect on the distribution of polyphosphates in the glasses studied, although electron micrographs show phase separation. The significance of the results in relation to immiscibility phenomena is discussed.